"Andre Norton - Solar Queen 06 - Derelict For Trade" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

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Derelict For Trade by Andre
Norton and Sherwood
Smith
I discovered science fiction when I was twelve years old and a friend
eagerly recommended Andre Norton. In straight order I read every title
the library had. By the next year, I was sending out my own books to
publishers (never mind the quality of the typing or the stories!), and, of
course, they came promptly back. In my environment I couldn't find
anyone to take me seriously as a writer, to tell me what I ought to be doing
and learning so that I could sell my booksтАФnot until I wrote to Andre
Norton, who was the first professional to ever take me seriously. Her
advice I took. I still have those letters, and treasure them. When the
opportunity came to work with her in the universes I'd loved so long, I was
thrilled. My heartfelt thanks to Ms. Norton for thirty years of
pleasureтАФand debt.
тАФS. S.

Gratitude and appreciation to Dave Trowbridge, who gave unstintingly
of time and effort to provide technical advice. The Spinboggan was his
idea.
тАФS. S.


1
Except for the bleep from the computer consoles and the occasional
rapid tick of keys, the control deck of the Solar Queen was silent.

Dane Thorson watched the tall, panther-lean man in the command pod,
and felt his guts tighten.
 Captain Jellico's gaze stayed on the constantly changing displays and
readouts on his console. His face was emotionless, as always, but the
subtle signs of tension were there to be read in the whiteness of the blaster
scar on his cheek, and the taut muscles of his back.

At the astrogation console Steen Wilcox leaned forward, his fingers
working steadily as he coaxed displays and readouts from his
navputerтАФnumbers that flickered so fast across the displays they were
incomprehensible to Dane.

But Dane didn't have to be able to interpret them. As assistant cargo
master, he had no job right now. He had squeezed into the back of the
cramped control deck only because he couldn't just sit in his cabin, like his